Stories about Citizen Media from April, 2009
Georgia: Opposition protests on hold, new concerns emerge
With the Russian military reportedly mobilizing within striking range of Georgia, many online commentators are becoming increasingly worried by the tactics employed by the opposition as it continues its campaign to force the president, Mikhail Saakashvili, to resign.
India Elections ‘09: Netizens react to Political Campaigns – II
In our first post of this series, we had brought to you glimpses of how netizens were reacting to the BJP's online campaign. In this post, we will explore reactions to the election campaign of the Indian National Congress (INC).
Uganda: President's wife appointed to cabinet
This month's cabinet reshuffle has Ugandan bloggers making 2011 election predictions. Among the new appointments President Yoweri Museveni made was the posting of his wife Janet as state minister for Karamoja, a region in northeastern Uganda that has been plagued by conflict and extreme poverty for decades.
Fiji: The calm after the storm?
Last week Fiji's President nullified the constitution, fired the entire judiciary and appointment himself head of state and the armed forces. He then re-appointed the military-backed government of Frank Bainimarama. Bloggers of all stripes are now sifting through the debris of a completely changed political landscape – one that will see the Bainimarama government remain in power until at least 2014.
Georgia: Concerns emerge over opposition protests
As the opposition blocks off main roads in Tbilisi, some bloggers and other online commentators are starting to question the tactics employed by protesters in the Georgian capital. Nevertheless, most are thankful that the protests have not resulted in major clashes.
Brazil: Indian writers and poets on the blogosphere
Literature and poetry are the core subjects of this second article of a trilogy shining light on the Indian blogosphere in Brazil. The subject is controversial, with many claiming that the idea of an indigenous literature is imported from Western traditions. However, there are Indians in Brazil who call themselves poets and writers – and bloggers.
Rwanda: Fifteen years after the genocide
Today marks the end of a week of national mourning in Rwanda to commemorate the 15 anniversary since the genocide which killed 800,000 people. On the 7th of April ceremonies were held in the capital Kigali, and in Nyanza, where more than 5,000 people were slaughtered. At a stadium in Kigali, thousands of candles spelt out the word "hope" in three languages.
Peru: Traditional Music Takes on Internet Love
While internet romance has lost its shock value to many online veterans, certain segments of the population who have so far remained outside of the online revolution are just catching up with these changes and are exploring the pros and cons of cyber-romance. Here we bring you three music videos for songs by Peruvian folklore singers who provide us their Andean perspective on these new ways of finding and bonding with romantic partners.
Georgia: Opposition protests enter fifth day
Despite dwindling numbers over the weekend, the opposition in Georgia has once again rallied an estimated 20,000 supporters in the capital, Tbilisi. Although well down on the 50,000 that demonstrated on Thursday, the number of those openly calling for the resignation of the Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili, did at least match those taking to the streets on Friday.
Indian Elections 2009: Allegations and Concerns of The Common People
The run up to Indian general elections sure looks like a spicy Bollywood movie. Big actors from major political parties and their activists are busy hurling allegations at each other while the common people stand befuddled, waiting for someone to listen to their concerns. Indian politicians are at the receiving...
Fiji: ‘The Media has been Muzzled’
In relation to the press, Fiji's new government installed “information officers” at newspapers, television and radio stations to enforce regulations against publishing any story “negative in nature” regarding the extraordinary recent constitutional events. In a letter to media organizations, the government pointed out they should broadcast “news that is pro-Fiji.”
Argentina: Mi* Platform for Budding Spanish Speaking Citizen Journalists
From Argentina, the Mi * (asterisk) citizen journalism website has sprouted up, with the intention of becoming the platform for budding Spanish speaking citizen journalists to post their work and receive comments, discuss topics, receive training and share content. So far citizen journalism workshops have been given in Argentina, Ecuador and Dominican Republic, and citizens from these and other countries have been participating on the site.
Georgia: Opposition rally attendances wane, tensions increase
Yesterday, thousands of demonstrators once again rallied in Tbilisi for a third day of protests demanding the resignation of the Georgian president, Mikhail Saakashvili. Bloggers continue to report on events as they unfold.
Fiji's President voids constitution, calls for elections in five years
Less than 24 hours after a Fiji court declared the country’s military backed government to be unconstitutional, Fiji’s president has voided the country’s constitution, made himself head of state and dismissed the country’s judiciary. The issue stems from a Thursday, April 9 court ruling stating the military leader Frank Bainimarama...
Japan: Filipino girl sees her parents deported
All are equal before the law and in Japan, foreigners without a legal permit to stay must leave the country. Deportation is assured for any illegal immigrant. This is what the Calderons are heading for. Arlan and Sarah Calderon, two Filipino citizens, illegally resident in Japan since the early 90s,...
Brazil: Tips to face the crisis from a popcorn street seller
Many people would think that the popcorn street selling business has little room for innovation. A natural born Brazilian entrepreneur has been proving this line of thought wrong: check out his story to understand that it is possible to make any simple and small business attractive and rewarding, both moneywise and on a personal level too.
Georgia: Opposition ultimatum passes
An hour after an opposition ultimatum for the Georgian president to resign went unheeded, thousands of people continue to protest in the country's capital, Tbilisi. Bloggers report from the scene.
Georgia: Opposition protests in Tbilisi (Updated)
Twenty years after clashes with Soviet troops outside the main government building in Tbilisi left 20 dead, the Georgian capital today braced itself for possible problems as the country's opposition staged its first major rally since the August war with Russia. Bloggers are posting from the ground.
Brazil: lndian culture, poetry and rights on the blogosphere
Brazil has one of the most impressive mosaics of indigenous peoples in the world and this cultural richness has started to show up on the Brazilian blogosphere. For this reason, GVO is dedicating a trilogy to cover aspects of indian blogging in the country, starting with this introduction to the indian blogosphere.
Japan: Bullying at school, the parents’ point of view
Ijime – the Japanese word for “bullying” – is still a worrying social phenomenon in Japan, despite the “latest” surveys published by the Japanese Ministry of Education [pdf, ja] (no data after 2007 is available) appearing to show how the cases of bullying at school have decreased by 7.1% in later years...
Japan: Tokyo Marathon 2009
Tokyo Marathon 2009, the largest marathon event in Japan, was held on March 22nd. It felt like everyone in Tokyo knew someone who was competing or had wanted to, and with 226,378 applicants for 30,000 spots, that might not have been too far from the truth. Tokyo Marathon's official website...
